Nematode control

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a method for controlling nematode populations, particularly soil nematode populations. Certain embodiments comprise applying 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, Sinapis alba seed meal, or a combination thereof, to soil, optionally in the presence of a trap crop. A hatching factor and/or a nematicide may also be applied to the soil, either substantially simultaneously with the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, Sinapis alba seed meal, or combination thereof, or sequentially in any order. Certain embodiments concern applying 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to soil that contains potato cyst nematode eggs. The 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol may be obtained by an aqueous extraction of Sinapis alba plant material.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for controlling nematodes, the method comprising contacting soil with 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract, or  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or a combination thereof, wherein the soil contains or is at risk of containing nematode eggs, to thereby affect nematode egg hatch. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein a crop plant is being cultivated in the soil that is contacted with the 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract, or  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the 4-hydroxybenzylalcohol, Sinapis alba plant extract, or  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof is applied to the soil in the rooting area of the cultivated crop plant. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein hatched nematodes migrate to the roots of the crop plant and die without reproducing. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the crop plant is a solanaceous crop plant, a cruciferous crop plant, a grain crop plant, a tuber-forming crop plants, or a non-Solanum species crop plant, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the crop plant is removed from the soil, and wherein thereafter another crop plant is grown in the soil, wherein nematode levels in the soil have been substantially reduced. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein nematode levels have been substantially reduced by from about 40% to about 75%. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , the method further comprising applying a hatching factor, a nematicide, or both to the soil. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hatching factor comprises a potato hatching factor, a potato root diffusate, a tomato root diffusate, a soybean root diffusate, a sugar beet root diffusate, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hatching factor is applied substantially simultaneously with the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract,  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof, or the hatching factor is applied from greater than zero to 6 months after application of the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract,  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hatching factor is applied to the soil a distance from greater than zero to 3 feet from the crop plant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the nematicide is applied substantially simultaneously with the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract,  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a hatching factor is applied substantially simultaneously with the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract,  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof, and the nematicide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the nematicide is applied from greater than zero to 6 months after application of the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract,  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the hatching factor is applied from greater than zero to 6 months after application of the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol,  Sinapis alba  plant extract,  Sinapis alba  seed meal, or the combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the nematode eggs are encysted eggs. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the nematode eggs are potato nematode eggs, soy nematode eggs, sugar beet nematode eggs, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises applying an amount of Sinapis alba seed meal of from about 500 lbs/acre to about 4,000 lbs/acre to the soil. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting comprises applying an amount of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol of from greater than zero to about 100 lbs/acre. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying the 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol comprises applying a formulation comprising a concentration of 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol of from greater than zero to 6,000 μmol/mL.